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Hunminjeongeum (Hangul)

Type Object Region Asia Time 1443

Hunminjeongeum is the Korean writing system created by King Sejong in 1443, originally named 'Hunminjeongeum,' meaning the correct sounds for instruc…

Timeline

  1. 1443Hanseong · SeoulKing Sejong personally oversaw the creation of the twenty-eight letters with the assistance of Jiphyeonjeon scholars, and announced in the palace that the new script was named 'Hunminjeongeum,' expressing the intent to instruct the people in correct pronunciation.
  2. 1444–1445Hanseong · SeoulAfter its creation, the court ordered the new script used to translate rhyme books such as the Yunhui Yupian to test the alphabet's phonetic capacity; meanwhile, official documents explaining the principles and usage of the letters were compiled in preparation for formal promulgation.
  3. 1446Hanseong · SeoulKing Sejong composed the preface and Jiphyeonjeon scholars wrote the Hunminjeongeum explanatory book (including the vernacular explanation 'Eonhae'), promulgated throughout the realm in September 1446. It systematically set out the principles of the letters' creation, spelling rules, and usage, marking the formal establishment of the Korean national script.

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